The new cabin forms part of the airline’s A380 retrofit plans and is expected to take to the skies in mid-2026.

The airline’s new First has been carefully designed to provide the feel of a modern luxury hotel, alongside home comforts and thoughtful British touches at 35,000ft. The seat has been beautifully curated by expert designers and world-class manufacturers from all corners of Great Britain and Ireland, including London, Glasgow, West Yorkshire, Kilkeel and Dublin.

The new seat is ultra-wide (36.5-inches), with a bed length of 79-inches, and features a multi-purpose ottoman and elegant stowable table, a 32-inch 4K TV screen, and adjustable mood lighting including scenes such as ‘relax’, ‘dine’ and ‘cinema’. The seat can be adjusted with the touch of a button to find the perfect level of comfort and is located within a cocooned 60-inch curved wall for ultimate privacy, whilst still providing a spacious environment.

For customers travelling together in the centre of the cabin, the divider slides open to create a shared lounge space, and the stowable tables mean customers can enjoy ‘buddy dining’ in the seat with their travel companion.

The elegant curves throughout the cabin take inspiration from British Airways’ Concorde wings, giving a natural flow to the space and creating a welcoming environment. Customers can now simply wheel their luggage into their personal luggage space, making it even easier to settle in before their flight.

Elsewhere, the suite features an ambient light with an eye-catching design that subtly references the airline’s speed marque and further nods to Concorde. The suite features window blinds, activated by buttons on the internal control panel for all three windows per seat. The soft panelling inside the seat also helps with acoustics and absorbing sound, which adds to the sense of being in a cocooned, private space. Customers can also use the seat’s brand-new ‘do not disturb’ functionality on its wireless control tablet, which notifies crew if they wish to maximise their rest on board.

“We’re incredibly proud to launch the next era of First that pushes the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity, taking into consideration customer preferences and expectations to the finest detail,” says British Airways’ chief customer officer, Calum Laming. “This coupled with our incredible colleagues delivering a world-class service, following the launch of our First Service Specialists scheme, as well as the many benefits of flying First such as First Wing entry, access to our award-winning lounges including our Concorde Room and priority boarding, means we truly believe we offer a winning combination in delivering an extraordinary experience for our customers.”

The airline listened to colleagues and customers to help shape design elements and specific features to suit preferences, such as the carefully placed stowage with useability and purpose in mind. The airline also introduced its fully rectangular bed following customer feedback that replicates all the comforts of a home environment.

The airline also worked closely with world-class manufacturer, Collins Aerospace RTX business, to create the First seat, following its involvement in carefully crafting British Airways’ Club Suite and short-haul aircraft seats earlier this year.

British Airways is proud to be the only European carrier from the UK to offer a First product across the Atlantic. Customers travelling in First can experience the airline’s most luxurious way to travel, from a stylish seat, exclusive access to lounges, fast-track security, use of the First Wing at Heathrow and excellent service on board. The airline offers the most premium experience for travellers from the moment they book to when they land at their destination.

The airline is continuing to invest in its overall customer experience and has already rolled out over 120 initiatives as part of its GBP7 billion (US$8.8 billion) transformation focus, from brand-new short-haul seats, free Wi-Fi messaging on board to refreshing its lounges across its global network.

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Hong Kong International Airport is one of the most important aviation hubs in Asia and saw more than 40 million travellers in 2023. Served by 120 airlines, who whisk travellers to 220 destinations on 1,100 daily flights, the airport is one that’s constantly evolving to meet the needs of air travellers, and eventually you’re probably going to transit through this vibrant hub. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Four Hours or Less

While Hong Kong International is certainly closer to the city than many other major aviation hubs like Dubai and Shanghai Pudong, you might only have time to explore the terminal before your onward flight. HKIA prides itself on its luxury retail opportunities, as well as its varied dining. The airport is also home to a host of pay-in lounges, including the newly opened Kyra Lounge near gate 25. There are also shower facilities available, as well as plenty of lounging spaces and even gaming and movie areas.

For a great vantage point, head to the Skybridge with its Intervals cocktail bar (above) and spectacular views of the apron and runway.

4–8 hours: Quick City Exploration

For a longer layover, consider a fast trip to nearby Tung Chung or even downtown Hong Kong. From the airport, take the Airport Express (24 minutes to Central) or a taxi (30–40 minutes) for a whirlwind tour. Explore the Ngong Ping 360 cable car and Big Buddha on Lantau Island (a 25-minute drive), or visit the Citygate Outlets for shopping in Tung Chung. If you’re craving urban vibes, head to Central for a quick dim sum meal at Tim Ho Wan or catch the iconic Star Ferry for stunning harbour views.

8–15 hours: Deeper City Dive

With more time, you can dive into Hong Kong’s rich culture. After arriving in Central via the Airport Express, take a quick walk to SoHo and visit the trendy boutiques, bars, and restaurants, or explore the local antique market. Wander through Man Mo Temple (above), and ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak for stunning skyline views.

Grab a tram in Central and make for vibrant Causeway Bay, home to the city’s best shopping, or delve into the Wan Chai Computer Centre for great electronic finds. Don’t miss a bite at Lung King Heen, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel. You can return to the airport quickly on the Airport Express or via a taxi.

Overnight: Full Experience and Stay

For overnight layovers, enjoy an even fuller Hong Kong experience. Book a stay at the brand-new The Regent Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui, which offers luxurious accommodations and convenient city access. After checking in, you can explore the city’s nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong, take in a Symphony of Lights show at Victoria Harbour, or enjoy a leisurely dinner at Mott 32, a high-end Chinese restaurant.

You even have time to take a ferry to one of the Outer Islands, including bohemian Lamma, charming Cheung Chau, or the coveted beaches of Lantau. Alternatively, have your fortune told at the Temple Street Markets, or grab a bargain and a bite to eat at the sprawling Harbour City or K11 malls in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Whatever the length of your layover, Hong Kong provides a seamless mix of relaxation, culture, and urban exploration to make your transit a memorable part of your journey.

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Offering customers a wide array of podcasts and playlists in the sky, Spotify can be enjoyed by all customers on their personal inflight entertainment seatback system, ICE.

Catering to Emirates’ global customer base, the curated content from Spotify will include a range of popular music playlists, as well as top podcasts in English, Portuguese, Tagalog and German, with more languages including Spanish and Hindi to be added in 2025. New podcasts and music will be added regularly to complement Emirates’ existing library of more than 3500 hours of global music and thought-provoking conversations.

Access to top Spotify Podcasts

Emirates’ customers can now explore Spotify’s diverse podcast library with over 140 episodes of business, sports, entertainment and true crime, featuring voices of renowned personalities such as What Now? with Trevor Noah – as the comedian has candid conversations with celebrities and thought leaders, The Bill Simmons Podcast – sports and pop culture discussions with notable guests like Tom Hanks, Adam Sandler and Larry David, Case 63 –an acclaimed scripted podcast known for its immersive storytelling, and The Journal – a dedicated podcast about money, business, and power, from Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.

Spotify’s Signature Playlists for Emirates

Ensuring Emirates’ customers have a personalised travel experience, there’s a playlist for fans of every music genre and era. Spotify’s most popular playlists are presented in the form of mixtapes curated by Spotify’s editorial experts, like the RapCaviar Mixtape – featuring the latest hip-hop, the vibrant Viva Latino Mixtape, throwback All Out 90s Mixtape and the popular Arabic Classics Mixtape and Jazz Classics Mixtape.

Spotify is the latest addition to Emirates’ renowned and multi-award-winning inflight entertainment system ice. Customers can access more than 4,000 hours of movies and TV channels, up to 3,500 hours of music and podcasts, more than 2,000 Hollywood and internationally acclaimed movies, 250 dedicated kids and family channels and hundreds of TV series and full box sets including the latest shows from Paramount+, HBO Max, Discovery+, BBC, Bloomberg Originals and Shahid.

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The world’s largest airline alliance, Star Alliance’s new lounge in Guangzhou is available to First and Business class passengers, and Star Alliance Gold status customers on member airline flights departing from Terminal 1.

The new Star Alliance branded lounge is located in a dedicated space on the upper level of the existing GBIA lounge in Terminal 1’s international area and provides a comfortable environment for travellers as they relax or work before their flight.

Ideally situated close to the departure gates for Star Alliance member airlines, the lounge features an open layout and offers 750 sqm of space, which can accommodate up to 100 guests. Open around the clock, it welcomes travellers with varying flight schedules.

READ: Oneworld Unveils First Dedicated Lounge in Seoul

The lounge features a glass facade offering tarmac views, filling the space with natural light. It also includes practical amenities, such as workstations and comfortable seating areas for both relaxation and productivity. Tucked in a quiet space, the VIP room is a 100 square meters private area ideal for group or private business meetings, available upon request. Guests are also welcome to use the state-of-the-art shower suites to refresh themselves before their onward journey.

The Star Alliance branded lounge offers a sense of connection to Guangzhou and the Pearl Delta River region. In addition to being adorned with art pieces by local artists, the lounge also has an exclusive Tea Appreciation Corner that will be available on special occasions, where guests can experience the region’s renowned tea culture. Guests can also enjoy a range of food options, with light bites and regional delights featuring local cuisine served throughout the day. There is also a dedicated bar counter where travellers can enjoy drinks that have been specially curated for the lounge.

READ: NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard Opens

“Lounges are a critical component for the effortless travel experience we aim to provide to our member airline passengers,” says Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias. “As a key strategic hub in Asia, Guangzhou serves as an important gateway for our guests. We are excited to inaugurate our first lounge in Asia, given the significance of the continent to aviation growth today and in the years to come.”

“Our first Star Alliance branded lounge in Asia is an exciting milestone for us,” says Ambar Franco, Star Alliance’s Vice President for Customer Experience. “Thoughtfully designed with the modern traveller in mind, it offers an effortless blend of comfort and functionality. Conveniently located close to departure gates, this lounge also provides travellers with the flexibility to relax, work, or refresh before their flight, all while enjoying a wide range of refreshment options and services tailored to their needs.”

READ: New Almaty Airport Lounge for Air Astana

The Star Alliance branded lounge was created by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in cooperation with member airlines and the new lounge is set to play a key role in enhancing the airport’s support services and improving the travel experience for international passengers.

Given Guangzhou’s growing importance as a major travel hub in Asia, Star Alliance will also open a new branded lounge in the upcoming Terminal 3 of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

At present, 10 Star Alliance member airlines operate from Guangzhou, including Air China, ANA, Asiana Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, THAI, and Turkish Airlines, offering 774weekly departures to 50 destinations in 10 countries.

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The lounge is exclusively designed for Air Astana’s business-class passengers and eligible Nomad Club loyalty members departing on the airline’s international flights.

The Shanyrak is a luxurious and spacious business lounge offering a full range of services to meet the expectations of international travellers.

Visitors to the lounge can relax and enjoy a tranquil atmosphere enriched with Kazakh cultural style before their flights. Lounge features include areas for work and rest, a parent-and-child room, showers and facilities for passengers with limited mobility, as well as flight information displays. Guests are also offered a selection of hot meals, snacks, and beverages.

The lounge can accommodate over 100 guests and is open 24 hours a day. Local and international partners have been engaged to manage the lounge, meeting standards tailored to passenger preferences and the airline’s longstanding reputation for delivering outstanding passenger service.

Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size. The Group operates a fleet of 56 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full-service airline that operated its inaugural flight in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019. The Group provides scheduled, point-to-point and transit, short-haul and long-haul air travel and cargo on domestic, regional and international routes across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Far East, the Middle East, India and Europe.

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Two individual suites and the globally unique Suite Plus in the A350-900 will then take off on a scheduled flight for the first time. After a technical introduction phase, Lufthansa will initially present the new, innovative product to its most loyal guests by invitation.

READ: The Evolution of First Class Air Travel

The furnishings in the First Class Suite set new standards: guests can heat or cool their almost one-meter-wide seats in the suite according to their personal needs. The separate suites feature ceiling-high walls and lockable doors, large tables and wide seats, as well as a huge screen and wireless over-ear headphones, setting new standards in comfort and individuality in the highest class.

A personal wardrobe in the suite provides ample storage space so that travellers can change comfortably and have all their personal items on hand, while individual lamps allow travellers to create their very own feel-good atmosphere. The Suite Plus also combines maximum comfort for individual guests with the unique option of travelling together with a travel partner in a suite.

READ: Hotel Woolstore 1888 Reopens

In collaboration with Meta and MSM Digital, the airline has also launched a ground-breaking in-flight entertainment initiative and is currently testing mixed reality technologies for guests. On all flights equipped with Allegris, guests in the Business Class Suite now have the opportunity to use the headsets and give feedback on what they particularly enjoyed.

With the latest generation of state-of-the-art VR headsets, Lufthansa is the only airline in the world to exclusively offer content such as captivating cinema-style movies, engaging VR 360-degree travel podcasts, interactive games and soothing relaxation exercises.

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Continuing Emirates and Moët Hennessy’s longstanding partnership of 32 years (Emirates purchases more champagne than any other airline in the world and has exclusive rights to serve a range of Dom Perignon, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot vintages), the latest collaboration features a newly designed champagne and canapés pairing menu, curated over several months by Emirates master chefs and champagne experts.

Within the lounge, which features an eye-catching golden wave design adorned with 2,400 intricate gold leaves applied individually by hand, four Moët & Chandon champagnes are available, with the latest collection launched last month featuring Moët & Chandon Impérial, Rosé Impérial, Nectar Impérial and Grand Vintage 2013.

Before boarding a flight, Emirates customers are invited to relax in the lounge, and transform their waiting time into a learning experience and exploration of the pairing of iconic champagne and meticulously crafted cuisine.

Emirates chefs have prioritised a minimal ingredients with maximum impact mantra for the lounge’s canapé menu. This approach allows the natural notes of the champagne to shine through and creates a more balanced dining experience, like the signature foie gras offering, which features only three components: brioche, foie gras, and fig. This allows each ingredient to play its part, highlighting the richness of the foie gras with the sweetness of the fig and the buttery base of the brioche.

 The first Champagne guests are invited to sample is Moët Impérial Brut. With a striking nose of green apple and citrus, followed by mineral freshness and white flowers, this champagne is cellared for 24 months. It offers the blonde nuances of brioche, grains and fresh nuts, and its fine bubbles and subtle palate lends itself perfectly to seafood and pronounced acidity tempered by fat. Emirates has paired Moët Impérial Brut with four individual dishes, which are served throughout the month: salmon tiradito on calamansi leche de tigre, grilled Obsiblue shrimp with watermelon and feta salad; tuna tartare with fresh orange segment, or scallop tataki.

The second Champagne featured is Moët Rosé Impérial, cellared for 21 months and offering an intense bouquet of red fruits, rose petals and florals, underscored by a hint of pepper. This cuvée pairs perfectly with colourful summer vegetables and fresh green herbs. Emirates recommends trying Moët Impérial Rosé with four paired dishes, served throughout the month; beetroot moutabel with akawi cheese and pine seeds; fennel infused spinach and asparagus dip with grilled asparagus and yuzu pearls; beetroot tartare with sesame seeds and dill; and bocconcini cheese with basil infused green melon and pine seeds.

The third recommended Champagne is the memorable Moët Grand Vintage 2013. Grand Vintage 2013 is a unique cuvée, benefitting from seven years in the cellar and presenting soft autumnal notes, followed by a palate of ripe pear, grapefruit and toasted nuts. To enhance the delicacy of the Champagne, Emirates master chefs have paired Moët Grand Vintage 2013 with four bespoke dishes, served throughout the month; foie gras on toasted brioche with fresh fig and Maldon salt; duck rillette with chive mayonnaise; foie gras on toasted brioche with quince and Maldon salt; and foie gras on toasted brioche with passionfruit, mango and Maldon salt.

The final Champagne featured in the pairing menu is the unique Moët Nectar Impérial, cellared for 18 months and featuring flavours of pineapple, mango, plum and apricot with a dash of vanilla. Ideally served with a sweet and fruity dessert, Emirates is serving Nectar Impérial with four dessert canapés, served throughout the month; tropical crème mango trifle; lemon cream pannacotta; and blueberry cheesecake.

Access to the Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge and the new pairing menu is complimentary for all guests of the Concourse B Business Class Lounge in Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport.

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New international services include the launch of a direct flight between Atyrau and Dubai, operating twice a week, as well as the increase in the number of flights from Almaty to Dubai to eleven times a week and from Astana to Dubai to nine times a week.

In addition,  Air Astana will start operating flights from Astana to Abu Dhabi twice a week at the end of October, as well as from Almaty to Abu Dhabi twice a week starting in December.

Turning to Asia, a new service from Astana to Phuket will operate three times a week, complementing the current eleven weekly flights from Almaty to Phuket, as well as daily flights from Almaty to Bangkok.

Also being launched during the Winter schedule is a service from Almaty to Phu Quoc in Vietnam, with five frequencies a week. Air Astana has also resumed seasonal flights to the Maldives, with services up to five times a week.

In the China market, Air Astana will resume flights from Astana to Urumqi twice a week and will continue to operate flights from Almaty to Urumqi four times a week, as well as from Almaty to Beijing five times a week and from Astana to Beijing twice a week.

In the Korean market, Air Astana will increase the number of flights between Astana and Seoul to three times a week, together with the existing five weekly flights from Almaty to Seoul.

In Europe, Air Astana will continue to operate flights from Astana to Frankfurt five times a week and non-stop flights from Almaty to London twice a week. Flights from Amsterdam to Atyrau Western Kazakhstan continue to operate all year round.

In other markets, Air Astana will operate flights from Almaty to Delhi nine times a week, from Almaty to Tashkent eleven flights a week, as well as daily flights from Almaty to Bishkek, four times a week to Tbilisi and two flights a week from Almaty to both  Baku and Dushanbe.

During the winter season, Air Astana will operate a total of 40 international and 13 domestic routes, including charter operations.

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This milestone establishes Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline as voted by Skytrax in 2024, as an industry leader in bringing advanced technology on board. The airline is the largest and first carrier in the MENA region to offer passengers Starlink ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet, which will be free to all passengers and operates from gate to gate.

The national carrier of the State of Qatar is also set to exceed its initial target of three Starlink-equipped aircraft by introducing 12 Boeing 777-300s upgraded with this innovative service by the end of 2024. Qatar Airways has further committed to rolling out the technology on its entire Boeing 777 fleet in 2025 – one year ahead of schedule – with the Airbus A350 fleet following in the summer of 2025.

This significant move highlights Qatar Airways’ commitment to bridging the gap between the skies and the ground by offering ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet.

Engineered by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit that will provide passengers reliable, high-speed internet so they can stay connected with friends and family, stream their favourite entertainment, watch live sports, play online games, or work efficiently at 35,000 feet – all for free and with a simple ‘one-click-access’.

Leveraging advanced satellites with its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink delivers internet access around the world, including over oceans and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals. “Overtime you’ll find it just gets better and better. This is the minimum and it only gets better from here,” says SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

The Starlink-equipped aircraft will operate on select routes as the airline pushes forward its roll-out plans. This will ensure more passengers have seamless access to enhanced connectivity during their travels, elevating the Qatar Airways’ award-winning on-board experience to new heights and setting a new benchmark for in-flight excellence.

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The new Higher State wellness centre at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport has business travellers’ wellness needs covered.

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