Travel

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

Travel
Qantas opens bookings for new Airbus aircraft
Qantas has opened bookings for its first two Airbus A321XLR aircraft, as it expands its fleet renewal efforts. Its first A321XLRs will begin flights on the airline’s Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Perth routes on 25 September, following approval by regulators. The A321XLRs seat 197 passengers, with 13% more seats than Qantas’ current Boeing 737s. “These next generation aircraft mark an exciting new chapter for Qantas. We know many of our customers have been waiting for the opportunity to fly onboard these new aircraft, just as our teams have been looking forward to flying them,” said Qantas domestic CEO Markus Svensson. “The extended flight range will also enable us to operate these aircraft on both domestic and short haul international routes, including destinations across South East Asia and the Pacific Islands that are not currently viable with our current narrowbody fleet.” These A321XLR aircraft feature 66% more premium seats, according to Qantas. The overhead lockers can accommodate 60% more bags. The A321XLR’s range is also around 3,000 kilometres further than the Boeing 737. A third A321XLR is set to arrive in November. Qantas expects to have seven A321XLR aircraft by the end of June 2026. Qantas said las
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China's first-crowd funded airport leads Chinese growth
China’s first-ever crowd-funded Wenzhou Longwan Airport breaks records with growth in seasonal flight numbers. According to the 2025 Summer Travel Data Summary by Flight Master, the airport recorded a year-on-year flight increase of 11.8%, leading growth among Chinese airports in the 10-million-passenger tier. Its intercontinental routes to Milan, Rome, and Madrid all achieved loading factors exceeding 80%. Some highlights for the 62-day summer travel season for Wenzhou Longwan Airport were passenger throughput exceeding 2.665 million and passenger flights surpassing 18,000 takeoffs and landings. The airport also stood out for the ways it tailored to different traveller needs. For example, during the family-travel peak, dedicated security checkpoints were set up for children. Alongside this, the number of travellers under 17 increased by 20% year-over-year and young passengers from Sichuan and Guizhou surged by over 30%. The airline also streamlined experiences, with the introduction of a new departure tax refund counter at the international terminal being one of the most significant upgrades. This led to an improvement in the effectiveness of tax-refund processes, reducing wait times by 60%. The airline al
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Cambodia opens new international airport in Phnom Penh
Cambodia has opened a new US$2 billion (A$3 billion) airport in its capital, Phnom Penh, as the country’s international arrival numbers have risen through much of 2025. Domestic and international flights began at Techo International Airport on 9 September. The airport’s initial phase can accommodate 13 million passengers, and an expansion to 50 million passengers is planned by 2050. “The aviation sector is one of many ways to connect tourists, businesses, political networks, and multi-purpose missions. As a major source of national revenue, it is driven by targeted policies to attract investment, strengthen diplomatic relations, and promote other destinations,” wrote Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. “Therefore, Cambodia has actively expanded and upgraded its international airports to meet growing travel demand, enhancing connectivity for travellers, especially those visiting Cambodia.” Techo International Airport includes three runways. It will replace Phnom Penh International Airport, which has just one runway. The new airport covers around 2,600 hectares, and is the country's largest by both passenger capacity and land area. It was developed by a joint venture between the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporati
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Marriott auctioning unique experiences through Sotheby's
The Luxury Group by Marriott International announced its latest phase with Sotheby’s, where it will auction two luxury experiences. The auctions will take place during Sotheby’s Luxury Sales Week in Hong Kong, where collectors can bid on the “destination-led” travel lots. “The iconic partnership between Luxury Group and Sotheby’s exemplifies the immersive and nuanced approach to luxury that we are bringing to Asia Pacific,” said George Hammer, Global Head of Luxury Marketing, Marriott International. The first lot being auctioned is a luxury escape to Jiuzhaigou, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Tibetan Plateau. The journey will begin in Chengdu with a night in a suite at W Chengdu, followed by a private limousine ride on a scenic five-and-a-half-hour drive to Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The guests will spend three nights there in the Rissai Villa, with an infinity pool mirroring the surrounding sanctuary. "China, particularly the extremely high vineyards of Yunnan province, is becoming an emerging force as a fine wine producing region, led by the likes of Domaine Muxin, Miao Lu, and Ao Yun, amongst others," said George Lacey, Head of Wine, Sotheby's Asia. The second lot up for auction is a five-d
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Noosa’s five-star Sofitel begins renovation
Noosa’s only five-star hotel, the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, has begun its first major renovation in more than a decade as fresh competition prepares to enter the local luxury market. The resort, which opened as a Sheraton in 1989 and rebranded to Sofitel in 2013, has long held its position as Noosa’s sole five-star accommodation. Strict development controls and strong community resistance have kept other operators out for more than 35 years, with only a handful of four-star hotels, such as Peppers Noosa and Essence Peregian Beach, making their mark. Owned by The Pacific Collection — a joint venture between the Laundy and Karedis families — the 175-room Sofitel is undergoing a “transformation” while remaining open to guests. Accor, which has managed the property since 2012, says the redesign will embrace “natural textures, custom detailing, and a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors” to reflect Noosa’s relaxed coastal spirit. Renovated rooms are set to roll out this month, while the high-profile Noosa Beach House Restaurant and Bar, a Hastings Street landmark, has closed temporarily and will reopen ahead of the summer season. The refurbishment comes as Noosa prepares for two significant new develop

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Air Canada flight attendants reject wage agreement
Air Canada flight attendants have rejected the airline's wage agreement, with the dispute expected to be worked out through mediation, as workers cannot take future legal action. The Canadian Union of Public Employees said an overwhelming 91.1% of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants voted against ratifying the company’s wage offer, in a 94.6% voter turnout. This comes after the airline and flight attendants reached a tentative agreement in August after a four-day strike that left half a million travellers stranded. CUPE said that even with the proposed increase, Air Canada flight attendants would still earn less than federal minimum wage, which is US$17.75 per hour or US$2,840 per month on a 40-hour workweek. The president of the Air Canada component of CUPE, Wesley Lesosky, said the government played a corrosive role in the negotiations and that the airline never bargained in good faith on wages. “By CEO Michael Rousseau’s own admission, the company expected the federal government to intervene and take away the only leverage we had - our right to go on strike,” he said. “Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu only waited 11 hours to prove the company right.” The union said it offered a one-year increase of 1
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Ikon Pass adds five Italian Alps resorts for 2025 season
Ikon Pass is expanding to the Italian Alps for the 2025/2026 ski season, with five new resorts in the Valle d’Aosta region joining its global portfolio of mountain destinations. Pass holders will now have access to Courmayeur Mont Blanc, Cervino Ski Paradise, La Thuile Espace San Bernardo, Monterosa Ski, and Pila, strengthening Ikon’s European offering while showcasing one of Italy’s most scenic alpine regions. "This partnership opens the door to U.S. skiers and riders, offering the opportunity to discover the breathtaking scenery and exceptional winter experiences that make Valle d'Aosta a true hidden gem of the Alps," said Danilo Chatrian, the general director of Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie and a project representative in Valle d'Aosta. "From iconic peaks and world-class skiing to gourmet cuisine and authentic alpine charm, we are thrilled to share the unique spirit of our special region in Italy with a wider global audience." Ikon Pass holders will receive seven combined days across the five resorts, with no blackout dates. Ikon Base Pass holders will have access to five combined days, while Valle d’Aosta will not be included in the Ikon Session Pass. Travellers will also benefit from the unique positioning of
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US scraps plans for airlines to reimburse flight delays
The United States is scrapping its plans to require airlines to reimburse passengers for flight delays, as it moves to cut regulations on the air travel industry. The U.S. Department of Transportation will withdraw a rule proposed in December that would have required alines to pay passengers at least US$200 for domestic delays over three hours. The rule had not entered into effect. “Consistent with Department and administration priorities, the Department plans to withdraw the ANPRM [Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking],” the Department of Transportation wrote in a regulatory filing. The department is reconsidering regulations that go beyond what Congress has required, a spokesperson told CBS News. Under the proposed rule, airlines would have to pay at least $200 for domestic delays lasting three to six hours, $375 to $575 for delays of six to nine hours, and $750 to $775 for delays over nine hours. It also would have required free rebookings for any flight delay or cancellation caused by non-weather issues. The proposal was initially submitted for public comment on 5 December. “We are encouraged by this Department of Transportation reviewing unnecessary and burdensome regulations that exceed its authority and don
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Australia warns about travel to Indonesia amid protests
The Australian Government has issued a new travel advisory for Indonesia, following deadly major protests in areas like Jakarta and Bali. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) raised its overall travel warning for Indonesia to level two, citing security and safety risks. “Large protests with potential to escalate into violence and property damage are occurring across major cities in Indonesia, including Denpasar, Bali, causing disruption and impacting local traffic movements,” DFAT wrote on its Smartraveller website. “Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates,” DFAT wrote. While DFAT has told travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia”, it has not recommended cancelling planned trips. The travel advisory also cites risks of drowning at unpatrolled beaches and volcanic activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, following a series of eruptions in August. Protests in Indonesia began in Jakarta in late August, sparked by a IDR50 million (A$4,660) housing allowance provided to members of parliament. This is almost 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage. These demonstrations have become increasingly violent after police drove an armoured vehicle into a group of